EXAMS

This page will contain the latest guidance to parents relating to external examintions. You will find:

JCQ examination guidelines, including coursework and NEA guidelines
Summer examination timetables
Other exams information as required.

Our forthcoming Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 mocks will help students prepare for their qualifications, assess progress, and identify priorities for ongoing study and revision.

You will be expected to follow JCQ examination rules during both mock and real examinations. Please read the guidance below carefully with your parents/carers and ensure you understand your responsibilities before your examinations.

Guidance to read

"Information for candidates: written examinations" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/knowledge-hub/written-exams/)

"Warning to candidates" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/JCQ-Warning-to-candidates-2026_FINAL.pdf)

"Unauthorised items poster" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/2026-Unauthorised-Items-poster_FINAL.pdf)

"Using social media and examinations/assessments" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/JCQ-Social-Media-Infographic-v6.pdf)

"Artificial intelligence and assessments" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IFC-AI-Asessments-2026.pdf)

"Preparing to sit your examinations: checklist" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/JCQ-Preparing-to-sit-your-exams-26-27.pdf)

Where these form part of your courses, please also read the guidance on "on-screen examinations" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/knowledge-hub/on-screen-examinations/), "coursework" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/knowledge-hub/coursework/) and "non-examination assessments (NEA)" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/knowledge-hub/non-examination-assessments/).

What parents and students need to be aware of:

Check your timetable and reporting arrangements. Ensure you arrive punctually, and contact the school immediately (or ask a parent/carer to contact us) if illness or an emergency affects your attendance.

Check equipment in advance. You need black ink pens, the permitted equipment for each subject and a transparent pencil case. Any water bottle must be clear and label-free. Calculators must meet the requirements explained by your subject teacher.

Follow the rules about prohibited items. You must not retain phones, watches of any kind, earbuds, smart glasses or other unauthorised materials during examinations. Possession alone can breach the rules, even if an item is switched off or unused.

Maintain proper examination conduct. You must remain silent from entry, follow invigilators’ instructions and raise your hand if you need assistance.

Submit honest, independent work. Coursework and NEA must comply with the rules on assistance and referencing. AI-generated work must not be presented as your own. You must not seek or share confidential examination content online and should report anything you receive to a teacher.

Breaches during mock examinations will be addressed through internal school procedures. In real, formal examinations and assessments, malpractice can lead to penalties imposed by awarding bodies, including loss of marks or disqualification from an examination or qualification.

Additional needs, illness and concerns

Please raise any concerns about additional needs or agreed access arrangements with the SENCo as early as possible. JCQ’s "guidance for parents, carers and students about access arrangements" (https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/JCQ-Parent-guidance-information-sheet-2025_26.pdf) explains the process. If an arrangement appears to be missing during an examination, tell the invigilator immediately.

Please inform the school promptly about illness, injury or other circumstances that could affect your examination performance.

Privacy and school procedures

The school provides relevant student information to awarding bodies to administer examinations and qualifications. Please read the privacy notices relevant to your subjects: "AQA" (https://www.aqa.org.uk/privacy-notice/student-privacy-notice), "Pearson/Edexcel/BTEC" (https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/privacy-policy.html), "OCR" (https://www.ocr.org.uk/about/our-policies/website-policies/privacy-policy/candidate-privacy-policy/) and "WJEC/Eduqas" (https://www.wjec.co.uk/en/home/privacy-policy/). The Exams Office can advise about any other awarding body.

For examination queries or access to the school’s internal appeals procedure, contact exams@hrs.education.

Thank you for approaching your examinations calmly, confidently and fully prepared

Mr Dilley

Assistant Headteacher